The photos and videos shown here may be of a different model, model year or body type from the one selected. The ratings of one vehicle often apply to other models if they are built on the same platform. In addition, a test of a vehicle from one model year may apply to earlier or later model years if the vehicle hasn't been significantly redesigned.

Applies to 2001-04 models

Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

This rating applies to vehicles other than the specific model and body style tested.

The Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute were introduced in the 2001 model year.

Injury measures

Measures taken from the chest indicate low risk of injuries to this body region. High head accelerations occurred when the dummy's head hit both the steering wheel through the airbag and the B-pillar, indicating that head injuries would be possible. Forces on the right tibia indicate that injuries to the lower leg would be likely. (Note: during the test, some injury data from the left leg was lost, but after the Institute reviewed comparable test data from Ford and Mazda, the left leg injury risk was rated good.)

Restraints and dummy kinematics

Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the B-pillar.

This rating applies to vehicles other than the specific model and body style tested.

The Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute were introduced in the 2001 model year.

Two tests of a 2003 Escape were conducted, one with an optional side airbag for the driver, and one without. A third test of an Escape, a 2005 model, was conducted because the side airbags were changed beginning with 2005 models to include protection for the rear passenger. These vehicles are rated separately, except that the injury and head protection ratings for the rear passenger are based on both tests of the 2003 models. Structural ratings for the three vehicles are based on all three tests.

Injury measures

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.

Passenger — Measures taken from the dummies in the two tests of the 2003 model, taken together, indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Head protection

Driver — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side airbag that deployed from the seat.

Passenger — In both tests of the 2003 model, the dummy's head was hit by the pillar behind the rear passenger door. This pillar is required by federal standard to provide some protection for occupants' heads.

This rating applies to vehicles other than the specific model and body style tested.

The Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute were introduced in the 2001 model year, and the Mercury Mariner was introduced in 2005. The Mazda Tribute skipped the 2007 model year but reappeared the following year.

Two tests of a 2003 Escape were conducted, one with an optional side airbag for the driver, and one without. A third test of an Escape, a 2005 model, was conducted because the side airbags were changed beginning with 2005 models to include protection for the rear passenger. These vehicles are rated separately, except that the injury and head protection ratings for the rear passenger are based on both tests of the 2003 models. Structural ratings for the three vehicles are based on all three tests.

Note: These ratings and specifications do not apply to the hybrid (gas-electric) versions of the Escape and Mariner.

Injury measures

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries would be likely in a crash of this severity. Serious brain and neck injuries would also be possible. In addition, loading to the shoulder was excessive.

Passenger — Measures taken from the dummies in the two tests of the 2003 model, taken together, indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Head protection

Driver — The dummy's head was hit by the intruding barrier, producing moderately high head injury measures.

Passenger — In both tests of the 2003 model, the dummy's head was hit by the pillar behind the rear passenger door. This pillar is required by federal standard to provide some protection for occupants' heads.

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

-6.5

-7.5

-5.5

Driver injury measures

Test ID

CES0311

Head HIC-15

733

Neck

Tension (kN)

2.2

Compression (kN)

0.3

Shoulder

Lateral deflection (mm)

65

Lateral force (kN)

4.0

Torso

Maximum deflection (mm)

57

Average deflection (mm)

48

Maximum deflection rate (m/s)

5.64

Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)

1.57

Pelvis

Iliac force (kN)

1.7

Acetabulum force (kN)

2.8

Combined force (kN)

4.5

Left femur

L-M force (kN)

0.4

L-M moment (Nm)

79

A-P moment (Nm)

24

Passenger injury measures

Test ID

CES0310

CES0311

Head HIC-15

490

491

Neck

Tension (kN)

0.4

0.4

Compression (kN)

1.0

1.0

Shoulder

Lateral deflection (mm)

46

46

Lateral force (kN)

1.9

1.8

Torso

Maximum deflection (mm)

41

43

Average deflection (mm)

31

33

Maximum deflection rate (m/s)

4.00

3.79

Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)

0.69

0.70

Pelvis

Iliac force (kN)

1.6

1.3

Acetabulum force (kN)

3.0

2.8

Combined force (kN)

4.2

3.8

Left femur

L-M force (kN)

0.3

0.3

L-M moment (Nm)

80

75

A-P moment (Nm)

13

13

1

Side airbags: front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags (optional in 2001-04 models); front and rear head curtain airbags (optional in 2005 and later models); front seat-mounted torso airbags added in 2005 and later models manufactured after August 2004 (optional)

2

Rollover sensor: designed to deploy the side curtain airbags, if equipped, in the event of an impending rollover

3

Antilock brakes (optional)

IIHS doesn't track or investigate vehicle defects. Use this link to search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's database for recalls on this or any other vehicle.